Metal-rolling machine.



S. D. STURGISJ METAL ROLLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION ElLED JULYZI, I914;

1,147,985. Patented July 27,1915.

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WNTED STA FFTQE.

METAL-ROLLING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jn1y2'7, 1915.

Application filed July 21, 1914. Serial No. 852,188.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL D. STUncIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles'and State of California, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Metal- Rolling Machines, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in metal rolling machines and it is an object of the invention to provide a machine'for rolling metal pieces to a tapered form without spreading the same to a greater width, the machine having shaping rolls, the relative action of which is capable of producing this result.

The mechanism forming the subject matter of the present invention is an improvement upon the metal-rolling machine set forth in Letters Patent No. 1,062,807, issued to me May 27, 1913. The device of that patent was adapted for light work only, and especially for the tapering of metal for the leaves of springs for light vehicles, but is not suitable for producing springs of the heavier types, such for instance as are employed on heavy trucks, locomotives or the like.

The improved machine of the present invention is capable of producing tapering metal pieces and leaves for springs of any desired size, without danger to the rolls employed. 1

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the rolling machine embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, parts being broken away to show the gearing of the rolls. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken transversely through the rolls of the device. Fig. i is a detail perspective View of the tapered end of a vehicle spring which has been rolled in the machine. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view showing one of the rolls of the machine, and a modified form of the supporting roll back of it.

The details and features of the invention will now be more particularly described, reference being had to the drawingin which- 5 indicates a frame having upright standards 6 and 7 mounted thereon and'between which upper and lower metal shaping rolls 8 and 9 are mounted. The rolls are provided with journals engaging any suitable bearings secured in the said frame standards 6 Any desired means for operating the U metal shaping rolls through the agency of said gears may be employed within the spirit of the invention. One practicalmeans has been shown in the drawing consisting of large gears 12 applied to the ends of the lower roll shaft 13. The said gears 12 in each side of the machine mesh with actuating pinions 14 mounted upon a transverse shaft 15 which is journaled upon a portion of the frame 5. Any suitable mechanism may be employedfor rotating the shaft 15, as for instance the gear 16 secured to said shaft and driven by any suitable mechanism not shown. Movement is thus imparted to the gearing described and to the shaping rolls 8 and 9. v

It is an important feature of the invention that one roll shall have a different action and effect upon the metal to be rolled or shaped from the other roll and the result desired in tapering a metallic spring or other piece of metal without flaring it, is

best obtained my making the roll 8 cylindrical, while the roll 9 is of a cam shape, its

surface following spiral lines in cross section, whereby an eccentric surface is afforded the roll, preferably like that shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. I

While the relation and proportions of the rolls in the machine of my former patent above referred to, areeifective for forming springs for light vehicles, they are not suitable for the production of heavy springs, for they cannot be madelarge enough and of sufficient, strength to be capable of making very heavy springs, without greatly reducing their fullering effect on the metal and consequently obtaining only inferior results.

By the improved mechanism of the present invention 1 am able to obviate these difliculties in ,making heavy spring leaves and obtain superior results. The sizeof the cam roll 9 is increased so as to give it ample strength for the purposes required. The cylindrical roll 8 on the other hand is reduced in size, whereby its fuller-ing action upon the metal is improved, while its diminished strength is more than compensated for, by associating therewith, a supporting roll 17 which backs up the roll 8, fortifying it against all rolling strains that may be brought upon it, in rolling the heaviest springs. The roll 17 is a floating roll, and is mounted in adjustable journal bearings 18, arranged in thestandards 6 and 7, above the bearings of the other rolls. Adjusting screws 19 are provided so that the bearings 18 may be caused to hold the floating roll 17, in accurate supporting contact with the oylindrical r0118. It will be evident that the floating roll 17 may be made of any size or diameter to withstand all strains put upon the roll 8, without changing the action of the cylindrical roll upon the metal.

The relative sizes of the gears 10 and 11 are also important, and to get the best results, must be approximately such that the peripheral surface of the cylindrical or fuller roll will turn at the speed indicated by the peripheral surface of the cam roll at its shortest radius. Thus as shown in the drawing the pitch lines of the said gears will be approximately in alinement with the median line of the space between the rolls 8 and 9 when the shortest radius of the roll 9 is directly opposite the roll 8.

As in my patent above referred to, the peculiar action of the cam roll with its increasing radius, operates to force or pull the bulk of the metal toward the end of the piece as the spiral increases upon said roll and as its surface draws nearer to the surface of the cylindrical roll 8. Thus a metallic bar, such for instance as is suitable for making the leaf of a vehicle spring, may be tapered toward its end without spreading or giving the bar a greater width, so that it is unnecessary to further operate upon the metal, or to trim or otherwise shape it to produce the leaf desired. The action of the rolls carries the substance of the bar, that is to say the metal, in the direction of the length of the bar or longitudinally thereof, so that none of the metal is forced laterally of the bar or in such direction as to spread or widen the same. WVith the surfaceof the cylindrical roll and the surface of the cam roll at its shortest radius, moving at equal speeds, the enlarging portions of the cam roll engaging the metal operate to draw the same lengthwise of the spring instead of spreading it laterally.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 3 that the metal upon the underside of the spring, or that engaged by the cam roll, is forced forward in the form of a thickened or bulged portion which will be carried clear to the end of the spring without broadening it. There is usually a slight bulged end left upon the spring which is merely broken off at the end of the tapered part so that the spring appears as shown in Fig. 4L when completed.

In the operation of rolling the bars or If desiredthe cam roll, especially when madelarge as contemplated in. the present inventlon, may be provided with a removable surface section 21, which may be bolted to the body portion of the roll, said body portion having a recess formed to receive the said section. The section 21 is arranged to form the. cam surface of the roll 9 at the portions thereof having the largest radii, and therefore at the portions of the. surface which are, found in practice to receive the greatest amount of wear. The cam section 21 may thus be readily replaced from time to time, as it becomes worn and the necessity of providing new cam rolls thus be obviated.

The formation of the floating roll may be varied if desired within the scope ofthe invention. Instead of having its surface continuous from end to end, it may be made as illustrated in Fig. 5, where such a floating roll 22, is shown as having its diameter reduced at intervals along its length, whereby narrow annular portions 23 only, will be of the proper diameter to bear upon the periphery of the roll 8. It will be evident that a roll of any desired shape and with any number of such annular portions may be used without departing in the least from the spirit of the invention.

It will be understood that metal pieces or strips of different widths may be acted upon, and tapered without spreading as above set forth. I The most perfect result is attained in this respect as above described, namely when the rolls are geared so that the surface, of thecylindrical roll 8 is driven at the speed indicated by the surface of the cam roll at its shortest radius.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for rolling metal comprising, a cam roll, a cylindrical roll, of smaller diameter than the cam roll, and gearing arranged to drive the cylindrical roll at its surface approximately at the speed indicated by the surface of the cam roll at its shortest radius.

2. A mechanism for rollingmetal to a tapered form without spreading, comprisbetween the surface of the cam roll at its shortest radius and the adjacent surface of 15 the cylindrical roll, the engaging portions of said teeth when in engaging position, being a little nearer the said surface of the cam roll than the surface of the other roll.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 20 my hand, in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL D. STURGIS.

Witnesses:

GAssELL SEVERANCE, EARLE R. PoLLARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

